Pant Construction Techniques

Sit down at the machine with author Sandra Betzina, who shares a lifetime's worth of sewing skills to help you construct the perfect pair of pants!

If you enjoyed Sandra's first Craftsy class, Pant Fitting Techniques, or know her from her books, newspaper columns and TV series, here's your chance to sit down at the machine with Sandra and learn professional sewing skills from the popular author and host of Power Sewing.

In this class, Sandra cuts, marks and sews Vogue 2948 (included free with this class!) while demonstrating professional pant construction and finishing techniques. As you sew along with Sandra, you'll learn how to harness the power of your machine, explore variations for different fabrics, and pick up dozens of tips that you will be able to use for years to come.

Lesson plan

8:15

Lesson 1. Introduction

Meet your instructor, Sandra Betzina, and gain an overview of what you'll learn in class.

26:05

Lesson 2. Choosing Fabric

If you've never heard Sandra's fabric tips before, prepare to be dazzled! Learn how to select and shop for everything from linen to wool crepe, corduroy and more before gaining insight into lining options and fabric treatment advice.

26:52

Lesson 3. Sizing & Pattern Prep

Learn professional tips on how to select a pattern, take accurate measurements and work with sizing charts before marking your pattern.

43:12

Lesson 4. Seam Treatments & Pressing

Sandra walks you through thread, needle and feet considerations before covering what you'll need to know about flat felled, faux flat felled, serger and contrast seams.

31:41

Lesson 5. Pockets

Add panache and chic style to your pockets in this lesson as you learn sewing, pressing and finishing techniques that will take the challenges out of pocket work.

33:02

Lesson 6. Contoured Band & Invisible Zipper

Learn how to work with a contoured waistband and invisible zipper before sewing the crotch seam, with lots of Sandra's needed tips along the way.

24:13

Lesson 7. Fly Front Zipper

Sandra breaks down the essentials of attaching a fly front zipper, including topstitching techniques and pressing details that will make your construction more successful.

29:19

Lesson 8. Pant Assembly

Discover valuable techniques for constructing the body of the pants as Sandra demonstrates everything from how to attach the waistband to sewing the side seam.

52:55

Lesson 9. Lining & Fly Front Waistband

Explore lined and fly front waistbands as you learn how to make a buttonhole, align and attach the lining, baste, press, and experiment with various techniques to achieve the waistband you've always wanted.

27:14

Lesson 10. Hem Treatments

Learn about the differences between hem treatments with Sandra's help before choosing your own. Examine various length options and delve into Hong Kong finishing, handstitching and more in this thorough overview.

7:38

Lesson 11. Finishing & Closures

Hooks, eyes, buttons and snaps -- which closures do you prefer? Learn how to get the most out of any attachment option you choose.

"I started as a complete novice (I've only started to sew in January), and I loved this class. I learned heaps, and in the last two months I have made four pairs of pants, and each one better than the one before. And the learning experience was enhanced by Sandra's fun and charming presentation. It was nice to have the emphasis on real women and not super models!" - Knitmoll

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Lesson plan

8:15

Lesson 1. Introduction

Meet your instructor, Sandra Betzina, and gain an overview of what you'll learn in class.

26:05

Lesson 2. Choosing Fabric

If you've never heard Sandra's fabric tips before, prepare to be dazzled! Learn how to select and shop for everything from linen to wool crepe, corduroy and more before gaining insight into lining options and fabric treatment advice.

26:52

Lesson 3. Sizing & Pattern Prep

Learn professional tips on how to select a pattern, take accurate measurements and work with sizing charts before marking your pattern.

43:12

Lesson 4. Seam Treatments & Pressing

Sandra walks you through thread, needle and feet considerations before covering what you'll need to know about flat felled, faux flat felled, serger and contrast seams.

31:41

Lesson 5. Pockets

Add panache and chic style to your pockets in this lesson as you learn sewing, pressing and finishing techniques that will take the challenges out of pocket work.

33:02

Lesson 6. Contoured Band & Invisible Zipper

Learn how to work with a contoured waistband and invisible zipper before sewing the crotch seam, with lots of Sandra's needed tips along the way.

24:13

Lesson 7. Fly Front Zipper

Sandra breaks down the essentials of attaching a fly front zipper, including topstitching techniques and pressing details that will make your construction more successful.

29:19

Lesson 8. Pant Assembly

Discover valuable techniques for constructing the body of the pants as Sandra demonstrates everything from how to attach the waistband to sewing the side seam.

52:55

Lesson 9. Lining & Fly Front Waistband

Explore lined and fly front waistbands as you learn how to make a buttonhole, align and attach the lining, baste, press, and experiment with various techniques to achieve the waistband you've always wanted.

27:14

Lesson 10. Hem Treatments

Learn about the differences between hem treatments with Sandra's help before choosing your own. Examine various length options and delve into Hong Kong finishing, handstitching and more in this thorough overview.

7:38

Lesson 11. Finishing & Closures

Hooks, eyes, buttons and snaps -- which closures do you prefer? Learn how to get the most out of any attachment option you choose.

The instructor

Sandra Betzina, Instructor of Pant Construction Techniques

As a child, Sandra learned to sew on a treadle sewing machine, and so her passion for the craft began! Highlights of Sandra's sewing career include writing a syndicated sewing column for 34 years and hosting her own sewing show on HGTV called Sew Perfect. She has also written 10 sewing books, including More Fabric Savvy, Fast Fit and Power Sewing Toolbox Volumes 1 & 2. Sandra has designed more than 200 patterns for Vogue and written numerous articles for Threads, Sew News and Vogue Patterns magazine.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(46 reviews)

Love

by George'smom on February 19, 2015

I learn so much from Sandra!

I learn so much from Sandra!

Pant Construction with Sandra Banzina

by Mr Jean LaPalme on February 13, 2015

it is a lot of information will be doing projects and upload the pics to you but it's gonna take me a while. Be patient. Chow for now and Sandra is an awesome teacher.

it is a lot of information will be doing projects and upload the pics to you but it's gonna take me a while. Be patient. Chow for now and Sandra is an awesome teacher.

A wealth Of Information

by bethanie.3379957 on February 9, 2015

This class has far exceeded my (high) expectations of it! Sandra is a delight to learn from and is so knowledge. I always thought I knew how to sew but now realize what I didn't know!

I am working on my first test pair now and can't wait to see how they turn out. Just following Sandra's advice to see a test waistband has saved me time and frustration already.

I love this class and highly recommend it!

This class has far exceeded my (high) expectations of it! Sandra is a delight to learn from and is so knowledge. I always thought I knew how to sew but now realize what I didn't know!

I am working on my first test pair now and can't wait to see how they turn out. Just following Sandra's advice to see a test waistband has saved me time and frustration already.

I love this class and highly recommend it!

I Learn So Much In Sandra's Classes

by JanAndPepi on February 4, 2015

I love Sandra Betzina. I learn so much from all her experience and creativity. She gives me the courage to follow my free spirit in creating beautiful garments and then shows me how. It seems no matter what class of hers I have taken I hear something new and learn a tried and true method that won't fail me because she has already worked out the bugs. This is a great class on pant construction and I would highly recommend it. I also think anyone out there thinking of taking this class should ...

I love Sandra Betzina. I learn so much from all her experience and creativity. She gives me the courage to follow my free spirit in creating beautiful garments and then shows me how. It seems no matter what class of hers I have taken I hear something new and learn a tried and true method that won't fail me because she has already worked out the bugs. This is a great class on pant construction and I would highly recommend it. I also think anyone out there thinking of taking this class should take the pant fitting class she teaches first. It will prep you for this class.

In this class, Sandra cuts, marks and sews Vogue 2948, which is included free with this class! These princess-seamed, infinitely adjustable pants are sized to fit hips from 34" to 57". Sizes A through J are included in one envelope. Or any other pant pattern will work!